Fred’s Files Chapter 11, To Liquidate All Remaining Stores

The turnaround efforts at Fred’s have come to an end, as the retailer has filed for voluntary relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and will liquidate all remaining stores.

The company has also filed a motion seeking interim and final approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to enter into a proposed debtor-in-possession financing agreement with certain of the company’s existing lenders, which would provide for up to $35 million in new funding.

The company said it is committed to ensuring an orderly wind-down of its operations, and has commenced liquidation sales at all retail locations, which are expected to close over the next 60 days. The company expects to continue fulfilling pharmacy prescriptions at most of its pharmacy locations, while it continues to pursue the sale of its pharmacies as part of the court supervised proceedings.

“Despite our team’s best efforts, we were not able to avoid this outcome,” said Joe Anto, CEO, Fred’s. “I want to thank all of our employees for their hard work and continued support of the company as we wind-down our operations.”

Fred’s has filed customary motions with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking a variety of “first-day” relief for the filing entities, including authorization to continue paying employee wages and salaries and continue providing employee benefits without interruption, and certain other customary relief.

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